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Israel strikes Hamas military targets in Gaza

Israel attacks Hamas base in northern Gaza
Israel attacks Hamas base in northern Gaza

Israel says it has struck dozens of Hamas military targets in northern Gaza in retaliation for assaults including more than 90 rocket attacks.

Palestinian health officials said two people were killed and 12 injured in an air strike in Gaza City. Three Israelis were injured by a rocket in Sderot.

Israel’s targets included a battalion HQ and a training facility used by Hamas, its military said.

The operation is one of Israel’s broadest since the 2014 war with Hamas.

The Israel Defence Forces (IDF) said it struck facilities used by the militant group, which dominates Gaza, including a battalion headquarters in Beit Lahia, a training camp located in a high-rise building in the al-Shati refugee camp in northern Gaza, weapons storage facilities and rocket launchers.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said the operation could continue.

“We will expand the scope of our reaction to Hamas’ terror attacks as much as needed. If Hamas doesn’t get our message today, it will tomorrow,” he said.

Witnesses told Reuters news agency an Israeli strike had hit an empty building in Gaza City and that the casualties were passers-by.

Hamas said another Palestinian had died after being shot by Israeli troops during border protests on Friday.

The IDF said dozens of rockets had been fired on Israel from within Gaza.

One rocket hit a home in the town of Sderot. Three people suffered shrapnel wounds.

The attacks come amid an escalation of violence in the region in recent months.

They coincided with mass demonstrations along the border which saw thousands of Palestinians express their support for the declared right of Palestinian refugees to return to their ancestral homes in what is now Israel – as well as demanding an end to the blockade of Gaza imposed by Israel and Egypt.

Israel and Egypt say the blockade is a necessary security measure against militants.

Gaza health officials say more than 130 Palestinians were killed and 15,000 others injured by Israeli forces during the protests.

Hamas does not recognise Israel’s right to exist but last year said it was ready to accept an interim Palestinian state limited to Gaza and the West Bank.

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